Are you cruising for the first time, or planning to take your first cruise, and need some tips because you don’t know where to begin? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve laid out the best expert tips for first time cruisers so you can get started on your first epic cruising adventure!
I understand that planning a cruise can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many cruise lines, and within those there are tons of ships and different itineraries.
How do you even start? Keep reading for all the information you need to make your first cruise a success.
Some links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. You can read more in my disclaimer.
Booking Tips For First Time Cruisers
Research The Cruise Lines
When choosing a cruise to book, your first task is to look into the various cruise lines. They all cater to a slightly different crowd, and have different feels. Which cruise line you choose will largely depend on what kind of vacation you’re looking for.
Carnival, for example, is known as being a fun ship with a party-like atmosphere. Royal Caribbean has enormous ships, like being on a resort in the ocean. Celebrity caters to a more sophisticated crowd.
The vibe of your cruise line will play a big role in your overall enjoyment when you take a cruise for the first time.
A big help when you pick your first cruise is going to be word of mouth and reviews. Talk to people you know who have gone on cruises. Ask them about their experiences with different cruise lines.
Join Facebook groups and see what people have to say about the various options you have. Their experiences may help shape your decision when choosing your first cruise line.
Research The Cruise Ships
Once you decide on your cruise line, your next job is to look into the different ships. Even within cruise lines, the different ships cater to different styles of trips.
Some ships are smaller, some have more activities, some have a huge focus on entertainment, some are more classic cruising. Smaller ships are more intimate, but have fewer activities than the giants.
If you have motion sickness, your best bet is to pick a large cruise ship, where you’ll feel the ocean’s rocking motion less intensely. Larger ships have more to do onboard, but also have larger crowds than the smaller cruise ships.
Research The Ports
When choosing a cruise for the first time, one of the most important aspects is the ports. In fact, I’d say this is one of the most important tips for first time cruisers! There is a huge variety of destinations on cruise ships, and each itinerary is a little different.
We personally love the Caribbean. We’ve gone on cruises to the Caribbean, stayed at all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia and Punta Cana, and could go back a million times again.
So, figure out which destinations you are most interested in visiting. Research the different ports and the attractions and activities available in each location. Look for places that offer a variety of things to see and do that match your interests and preferences.
Choose Your First Cruise Cabin Wisely
Choosing the right cabin on a cruise ship can make a big difference in your overall cruise enjoyment. If you are the type to only need a room to shower and sleep, then this won’t be a big decision at all. But if you like to spend any kind of time in your room, which one you pick will be important.
Are you the type to like it pitch black while you sleep? Perhaps you prefer to take your morning coffee out on a balcony overlooking the ocean? Maybe a balcony isn’t important but you absolutely NEED a window in your room. Your preference here will absolutely play a role in which cabin you choose.
The location of the cabin can be a crucial factor in your overall experience. You might want to be right in the thick of the activities, or you might want to be tucked away in a quiet area. Being near the elevators, the engine room, or the nightclubs might impact your quality of sleep, as the noise from those may keep you awake.
Pro Tip For First Time Cruisers: If you are prone to seasickness, choose a cabin located in the middle of the ship, and on a lower deck. You’ll experience far less motion in this area than on a higher deck or towards either end of the ship.
Read The Fine Print
One of the biggest tips for first time cruisers, or veteran cruisers for that matter, is this: make sure you read and understand the fine print of your cruise contract. This is where the cruise line lays out all the important details that you need to know about your cruise.
This contract will tell you the cancellation policy, when final payment is due, and what happens if the itinerary needs to change for any reason (and that happens often!). You’ll find out what items you are not allowed to bring onboard, exactly what is included in your cruise fare, and whether you can bring your own wine. It is essential that you read and understand this contract.
Purchase Your Package Add-Ons
First time cruisers may not know that cruise ships are not all-inclusive. However, there are several add-on packages that you may purchase that will essentially turn your cruise into an all-inclusive trip if you choose. Many times, if you purchase these packages far enough in advance, you can get them at a significantly reduced price.
The most common package to purchase is a beverage package. Typically, water, juice, and basic coffee are included in your cruise fare. Soft drinks, anything alcoholic, specialty coffees, mocktails, smoothies, energy drinks, etc are all extra charges. You can purchase different beverage packages depending on your personal needs.
Specialty dining is a frequent package add-on for cruisers. Although the main dining room and ship buffet are always included in your standard cruise fare, there are many premium restaurants on board that cost extra. You may want to try a few of these restaurants out, and buying a package will allow you to do this for a cheaper price.
You may also want to purchase excursion or spa packages for your trip. Sometimes you can get a set amount of excursions or spa treatments for a discounted price as well. Internet packages are another common add-on, to allow you to remain connected while on board. We personally always purchase the photo package, giving us a set amount of photos for one set price.
Pre-Boarding Tips For First Time Cruisers
Utilize Facebook Groups
When taking any vacation, I personally ALWAYS look for and join various Facebook groups relating to that trip. In case of a cruise vacation, I join the main cruise line group, the individual cruise ship group, and the group for the specific dates I’ll be cruising.
In these groups you’ll find amazingly helpful information. You’ll get information on specific theme nights, if there are any parties, what to expect as far as the ship itself goes, activities, excursion info, and so much more. You also get to pre-meet people that will be on your cruise ship.
Download Your Cruise Line’s App
Most, if not all, cruise lines have an app that you definitely should download. The app will give you important information and updates, as well as allow you to view schedules and activities, make reservations, purchase add-on packages, book excursions, see your bill, and even chat with other passengers.
If you choose not to purchase a WiFi package, the ship’s app will still work while on board, allowing you to stay up to date with any changes. An important feature on most of these apps is keeping you aware of the ship’s time, as time zone changes may confuse passengers on when they are supposed to return to the ship after visiting a port.
Choose Your Excursions
If you didn’t purchase an excursion package when booking, you should take a look at the excursions available on your specific cruise. These are typically found on your cruise line’s website, or on their app. If you purchase them in advance, a lot of the times they will be available for a discounted price.
Booking your excursions for your cruise in advance also ensures that the ones you want to experience are available. These excursions do sell out, so we recommend buying them before you get on board.
My husband and I have been to many, many ports over the years. Here are our picks for the best excursions in some of those places.
- Best Cruise Excursions In Cozumel
- Best Cruise Excursions In Grand Cayman
- Best Cruise Excursions In Costa Maya
- Best Cruise Excursions In St. Lucia
Pre-Book Your Entertainment
If there are any specific entertainment options on your cruise that you definitely want to do, make sure you book it as soon as allowed. Many cruise ships allow you to book activities and spa treatments weeks in advance, which means if you wait to book things once you’re on the ship, it may be already full.
If it turns out that you missed the opportunity to book a certain nighttime show or other activity, don’t worry. A lot of the times, people overbook themselves with tons of activities and hardly go to them. Which means, generally, spots wind up opening up. Check back to see if spots open, or head to the activity itself. Most of the time, if people don’t show up they’ll allow walk-ins to fill the seats.
Packing Tips For First Time Cruisers
Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be confusing. If you’ve ever packed for an all-inclusive tropical resort, you’ll pretty much know what you’re doing, with a few exceptions.
You’ll want to bring a casual outfit for every day, plus a nicer outfit for dinners. There may be a formal night or two on board, which means an outfit as fancy as your heart desires. You’ll need shoes for these outfits, plus flip flops for when you’re in your swimwear. We have an entire cruise ship packing list to guide you at this step.
Be sure to bookmark that page for reference! And definitely don’t set sail without reading our list of 37 cruise travel essentials to make your vacation stress-free.
There are many helpful items that you should bring with you for comfort and convenience’s sake. These include wrinkle release spray (since you can’t bring an iron), an over-the-door organizer to maximize storage space, magnetic hooks, lanyards, luggage tags, and more. We detail everything in our cruise ship packing list, which is very helpful both for veteran and first time cruisers.
There are also quite a few things that you can’t pack for your cruise, and first time cruisers should heed this list closely. Of course no weapons or illicit drugs are allowed, but you also cannot bring anything that constitutes a fire hazard, like irons or steamers. If you bring a prohibited item, it will be confiscated, and depending on the severity of your mistake, you may be not allowed to board, fined, and even arrested.
Print Out All Your Cruise Documents
First time cruisers and veteran cruisers alike will all want to stay organized with their paperwork. Print out all the documents you have for your cruise, including whatever transportation documents you have.
The list of documents you should print also includes your cruise contract, your boarding passes, your cruise itinerary, and any excursions you have booked. Keep them all together and in a safe place. They should all eventually be put into your carry on bag, not your luggage.
Arrive A Day Or Two Early
For your first cruise, you might be tempted to fly into your destination the morning of your cruise. We strongly advise against this, and instead suggest you give yourself at least one full day before your cruise.
You never know what might happen with your flight, your luggage, or anything else regarding getting from home to the cruise ship. If your flight gets delayed or your luggage gets lost, you may miss your cruise entirely. The ship will not wait for you to arrive. Do yourself a favor and fly in at least the day before your cruise!
Another benefit of arriving a day or two early is you get the chance to explore the city. Typically, there are lots of things to see and do in the cities in which cruise ships depart. You may be able to experience the local cuisine, take a tour, visit a museum, or participate in many other activities in the area. It’s a fantastic way to make the most of your trip!
Arrive At The Port Early
On the first day of your cruise, be sure to arrive at the port early. You’ll need to drop your luggage off with the porters, and head through security. Security for a cruise ship is much like that at the airport. Arriving early may enable you to avoid long lines and wait times, and the stress and anxiety that goes along with those.
You’ll need to provide your identification and boarding passes. You will have to pass through a metal detector, and your carry on will go through an x-ray machine. There may be random additional screenings as well. Security on cruise ships is taken very seriously.
Generally, arriving early gets you on the ship earlier than your scheduled time. A lot of cruise ships let you board early even if your boarding time was listed as later. This gives you more time to explore the ship and get familiar with the layout. You also get more time to settle in and mentally switch to vacation mode!
Make Sure You Have Small Bills
Gratuities on cruise ships are usually prepaid, and most things on board that are an extra cost are charged to your onboard account. However, you still need to bring small bills for those times when you want to tip in cash. This may be the porters, your stateroom attendant, bartenders, anyone really.
You also want to keep small bills on hand when you’re in the ports. You may want to tip your tour guide, make a small purchase, or pay in cash for a taxi ride.
Alert Your Bank That You’re Traveling
Any time you are going on vacation, even if you’re not leaving the country, you should alert your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling. If you don’t, they may flag any attempted purchases as fraudulent and put a freeze on your funds, which would be most inconvenient for you.
To prevent an unnecessary hold on your account, inform your bank and whatever credit cards you plan on using where you will be visiting. They can make a note in your account and you won’t run the risk of your cards being declined when you need to use them.
Carry On Bag Tips For First Time Cruisers
First time cruisers may not know that you won’t be able to get into your cabin right away. Your luggage may not even show up until late at night! Therefore, you definitely want to pack your carry on bag wisely.
In your carry on, bring a swimsuit and coverup, a pair of flip flops, and potentially whatever you plan on wearing to dinner that night. The first night will not be a formal night, so you don’t have to worry about dressing up, but you want to have a presentable change of clothes.
If you are bringing your allotted amount of wine or champagne with you, you’re going to want to put that in your carry on with you. You may be also allowed to bring specific amounts of sodas with you, which will also go in your carry on bag.
Of course, your carry on bag should also contain all important documents, including your passport. You also should have any and all medications, and all of your cash and valuables that you are bringing. Never put important documents, medications, cash, or valuables in a checked bag.
On Board Tips For First Time Cruisers
Don’t Miss The Safety Drill
Every cruise ship has a mandatory safety drill that you MUST participate in before the ship sets sail. In years past, this was an in-person demonstration that you were required to attend. Nowadays, technology has greatly streamlined this process and made it extremely easy.
Most, if not all, cruises at this point have safety videos on their app that you have to watch. You then have to visit a specific location on the ship (your assigned muster station) to sign in and confirm that you did in fact watch the safety videos. This is the location that you will go to in case of emergency, so they need to be sure that you know where it is and how to get there.
Go On A Duck Hunt!
A duck hunt? YES! Cruising Ducks is a very fun trend that started on Carnival cruise ships and has spread to many different cruise lines. People take little rubber duckies, attach a tag naming the ship and cruise dates, and hide them all over the ship. It’s a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Some folks even make their own ducks out of fabric, or they crochet them.
You can choose to either keep the duck or hide it again for someone else to find. Usually there’s a request to snap a photo and post it to a Cruising Ducks Facebook group page. You could also post it to the Facebook group page for your specific cruise. The people who hide the ducks love seeing that their duckies are being found!
Occasionally you’ll find a duck with multiple tags on it. This happens when folks keep the ducks they find, then add their own tag and hide the duckies on their next cruise. I always love finding these ones, because you get to see all the different adventures this little ducky has been on.
That’s actually what we do with all the duckies we find. We keep them and bring them home, then add a new tag, and hide them all on our next cruise!
Keep Your Phone On Airplane Mode
First time cruisers, heed this advice! When you get on board your cruise ship, switch your phone to airplane mode and leave it there!
If you forget to put your phone in airplane mode, then you likely will incur a very hefty phone bill, thanks to all the roaming charges you’ll accrue over the course of your trip. Do this for all devices that have a data plan!
Keeping your phone (and other devices) on airplane mode prevents them from searching for and trying to connect to different networks. You can still use WiFi while in airplane mode, so if you purchased a WiFi package then you’ll be able to stay connected and avoid expensive roaming charges.
Dining Tips For First Time Cruisers
If you plan on eating at any of the specialty restaurants on board, be sure to make your reservations. Sometimes you can do this weeks before you even get on board, and sometimes you can’t make any reservations until you are physically on the ship. You should make these reservations as early as possible, because they do book up and you run the risk of not getting in at all.
Something first time cruisers might not be aware of is that you can actually order multiple appetizers, entrees, and desserts during one meal. Generally the portion sizes are small, so if there are multiple items on the menu that you would like to try, you can just order them! We’re not suggesting to be wasteful, but if you’re going to eat more than one small plate, go ahead and order them!
On our last cruise there was a certain dessert that my daughter absolutely fell in love with. It was called an apple blossom – it was like a miniature apple pie. She would have one after her meal, and then we would also order another one to go, as a late night snack for later on. Our waiter was more than happy to oblige!
Be Aware Of Time Changes
While you’re on your cruise, you may venture into different time zones. Be aware of this change! When you go off into the ports, if the local time is different from ship time, you may wind up returning to the pier late, and finding the ship has left you behind.
Sometimes the ship time changes to coincide with the local time to avoid this confusion. Other times however, you are expected to stay on ship time regardless of local time. In this case, set your watch to ship time and leave it there. You don’t want to run the risk of missing all aboard time!
Use The In Room Safe
Every cabin on a cruise ship is equipped with a safe for your personal use. Use it. Things do occasionally get stolen from cabins, but it’s just a good practice in general to keep anything valuable locked up while you’re out of your room.
We typically keep our passports and electronics in the safe while we’re out and about. We recommend leaving valuable jewelry and other items at home in the first place, but if you do happen to bring something valuable with you, don’t just leave it laying about.
Decorate Your Door
The door to your cabin is entirely magnetic. Veteran cruisers hang fun decorations on their doors, with pictures, name tags, dry erase boards, and more.
First time cruisers don’t always know that you can bring decorations to customize your door. This not only is a fun way to enhance your room, but it also makes your door more recognizable among the dozens of other identical doors in the hallway. This of course is quite helpful if you’ve been, ahem, indulging in adult beverages.
Check Your Bill Daily
Whether it’s your first cruise or your hundredth cruise, you should make it a habit to do a daily check of your bill. You can get an updated balance on your cruise line app, and usually on the TV in your stateroom.
If you see any charges that don’t make sense to you, anything that seems out of the ordinary, or just have a question about it, don’t wait until the end of your cruise to ask. Just go to Guest Services and talk to them. Most things are easily rectified or explained. If you wait until the end of the cruise, you’ll likely have a huge crowd of people all trying to do the same thing.
Don’t Be A Pier Runner
What’s a pier runner, you ask? Well, it’s the folks that you inevitably see making a mad dash along the pier back to their cruise ship before it leaves them behind. Don’t be those people. Not only do you run the risk of the ship leaving you (yes, the ship WILL leave you behind), but you also run the risk of public shaming.
On our last cruise, there were 3 passengers who became pier runners on our first stop. Once the ship departed the port, the captain came over the loud speaker and made an announcement reminding everyone that they needed to be ON TIME. He mentioned that there were 3 passengers that didn’t heed the all aboard time, and was unhappy with that fact.
The next morning at breakfast, before we docked at the next port, the captain came over the loudspeaker again and called out these 3 people by name and told them to get back to the ship early. Needless to say, they didn’t make that mistake again. They wound up apologizing and the captain accepted their apology over the loudspeaker once more.
So don’t make their mistake! Give yourself plenty of time to get back to the cruise ship after exploring the port.
Utilize The Photographers
First time cruisers may not know that there are photographers scattered around the ship at various times. Typically you’ll find photographers before and during dinner, while participating in activities, and during special events and parties.
Generally, you can purchase photos individually or as part of a package deal. We personally always purchase a photo package to get a certain number of photos for a set price. You are under no obligation to purchase any photos taken by the photographers over the course of your cruise, but it may wind up being such a perfect shot that you can’t pass it up.
Motion Sickness Tips For First Time Cruisers
If you are prone to motion sickness, there is a chance you may get seasick aboard a cruise. There are a few ways to help prevent this, and to relieve the symptoms if they start.
First, the location of your cabin is important. Choose a cabin in the middle of the ship, and on a lower deck. Here you will feel the motion of the ocean less severely.
Second, be sure to have the necessary motion sickness medication. Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Bovine (meclizine), and the transdermal patch (scopolamine, requires a prescription) are all used to prevent and manage motion sickness. Use them according to the label.
Sea Bands work via acupressure to prevent motion sickness. They made the world of a difference to our daughter on our last cruise, and we highly recommend them for both kids and adults. If you are prone to motion sickness, or have ever experienced it, they are definitely worth wearing.
Finally, the choices you make on board are also going to play a role in your potential to feel seasick. Eating too heavily, or drinking too much alcohol may exacerbate feelings of nausea.
You also want to be sure to stay well-hydrated and get as much fresh air as you can. Ginger supplements or candies may help to settle your stomach, so you may want to bring some with you.
FAQ – Tips For First Time Cruisers
Do I need cash on a cruise?
Yes. You will need cash on hand for tips, and for purchasing things in the ports. Everything you buy on board will be charged to your room, but once you leave the ship you will need cash.
Can I bring alcohol on a cruise?
You may not bring hard liquor or beer on board, but some cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle or two of wine or champagne. Check with your individual cruise line to see their policies.
Can you go directly to your room after boarding your cruise?
On your first day of your cruise, you will likely not be able to get into your cabin right away. Generally the cabins are opened a couple hours later, with luggage arriving some time over the course of the day. In the meantime, take this time to explore the ship, have some food, and enjoy the start of your vacation!
How long should my first cruise be?
This answer will be different for everyone, but we suggest approximately a week for your first cruise. Shorter cruises may not give you an accurate cruise ship experience, and much longer cruises may wear you out.
What happens if I get seasick on my cruise?
Seasickness is a possibility if you are already prone to motion sickness. Even if you’re not, if you have a really rough day at sea you may get seasick. Make sure to bring seasickness medications on board, and we strongly recommend bringing Sea Bands for everyone as well. The vast majority of people do not feel seasick on a cruise, however.
Is all the food free on a cruise?
The main dining room and cruise ship buffets are always free on a cruise. There are typically also cafes and other little spots to get food scattered around the ship. Not every restaurant is included, however. Specialty dining is an extra charge, as well as beverages such as soft drinks, smoothies, cocktails, and mocktails.
Do I need a passport to take a cruise?
We strongly recommend everyone on the cruise has a passport. Some closed-loop cruises (those cruises leaving and returning to the same US port) will accept a birth certificate, but we strongly recommend you bring a passport instead, in case of emergency.
Will I have access to WiFi on my cruise?
Most cruise ships do have internet access on board, but it tends to be notoriously unreliable and slow, especially on days at sea. It also can be quite expensive. Some cruise lines offer WiFi access as part of a package deal or promotion that may bring down the cost.
