First-Time Cruiser Guide: Everything I Wish Someone Had Told Me

Start With the Right Cruise—Not Just the Lowest Price

One of the biggest mistakes I see first-time cruisers make is choosing a cruise based primarily on price or itinerary.

The ship matters.

A lot.

Two ships sailing to similar destinations can give you completely different vacations.

Some ships are packed with waterslides, activities, shows, music, restaurants, kids' areas, nightlife, and things happening from morning until well after you've gone to bed.

Others are smaller and quieter, with more emphasis on dining, service, relaxation, destinations, or enrichment.

Neither is automatically better.

The right ship is the one that matches the way you like to vacation.

That's why I want to know more than where you want to go. I want to know what you actually enjoy doing once you get there.

Let's Talk About Cabins

You do not automatically need a balcony to have a wonderful cruise.

There. I said it.

An interior cabin can be a great value if you're planning to spend most of your time enjoying the ship and destinations.

An ocean-view cabin gives you natural light without paying for outdoor space.

A balcony gives you your own little piece of the ocean and can be especially wonderful on scenic itineraries.

And a suite may offer more space and additional benefits, depending on the cruise line and ship.

But category isn't the only thing I look at.

Location matters too.

If you're concerned about motion, cabin placement can make a difference. If you're a light sleeper, you probably don't want me putting you underneath a nightclub or directly below a busy pool deck.

And if several family members want connecting or nearby cabins, that's something I want to know early because those options can disappear quickly.

The cheapest cabin isn't necessarily the best value if you spend the whole cruise wishing you'd booked something different.

What Happens on Embarkation Day?

Embarkation day is exciting—and a little confusing when you've never done it.

You'll complete your cruise-line check-in before sailing and receive instructions about your arrival time, required documents, luggage, and boarding.

When you arrive at the terminal, you'll check your larger luggage and keep a carry-on with you.

Do not put anything in your checked cruise luggage that you absolutely need right away.

• Passport or required identification
• Medication
• Wallet and valuables
• Phone and charger
• Important travel documents
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit or a change of clothes
• Anything you may need before your luggage arrives

What Is Actually Included?

This is where cruise pricing can get confusing.

Your cruise fare generally includes your cabin, many dining options, entertainment, and a variety of onboard activities.

But what's included varies by cruise line, ship, fare type, and package.

You may pay extra for things such as:

• Gratuities
• Specialty dining
• Alcoholic beverages
• Soda or specialty drinks
• Wi-Fi
• Shore excursions
• Spa treatments
• Certain onboard activities
• Casino play
• Photos
• Some room-service items or delivery fees

No, You Don't Have to Do Everything

This might be my favorite first-cruise advice.

The daily schedule can make you feel like you're going to miss something if you're not constantly moving.

Trivia!

Shows!

Pool games!

Live music!

Comedy!

Dance classes!

Shopping!

Food!

More food!

You paid for a vacation, not an assignment.

Pick the things that sound fun to you.

If everyone else goes to trivia and you want to sit somewhere with an ocean view and do absolutely nothing for an hour, congratulations.

You're cruising correctly.

Sea Days Are Part of the Vacation

First-time cruisers sometimes worry that they'll be bored on a sea day.

Depending on the ship, sea days can end up being some of your favorite days.

Sleep later. Have a long breakfast. Explore the ship. Go to the pool. See a show. Read. Play trivia. Find live music. Book the spa. Eat something simply because you walked past it and it looked good.

Or do absolutely nothing.

Your cruise doesn't have to be scheduled from morning until night.

What About Shore Excursions?

When the ship arrives in port, you have choices.

You can book an excursion through the cruise line.

You can book with a reputable independent excursion provider.

You can explore certain ports independently.

Or you can stay on the ship.

There isn't one answer that's right for every port.

Cruise-line excursions can provide convenience and certain protections when delays occur. But they are not your only option.

I also work with independent excursion suppliers, and some offer return-to-ship guarantees or similar protections. Depending on the destination and activity, an independent excursion may offer a smaller group, different experience, more options, or better value.

The important thing is understanding who you're booking with, what protections they provide, how far you're traveling from the port, and exactly when you need to be back aboard.

And please remember:

Ship time wins.

If the ship says everyone must be aboard at 4:30, your phone telling you it's 3:45 local time isn't going to convince the captain to wait.

Will I Get Seasick?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Plenty of people who worry about motion sickness cruise without a problem.

Modern cruise ships are designed with stabilizers, and cabin location, weather, itinerary, and sea conditions can all affect how much movement you feel.

If you know you're prone to motion sickness, we can take that into consideration when looking at the ship, itinerary, and cabin location.

You can also talk with your healthcare provider about appropriate motion-sickness options before traveling.

I would much rather have you prepared and never need anything than spend the first day wishing you had planned ahead.

Do I Have to Dress Up?

Usually, you do not need a suitcase full of formalwear.

Dress expectations vary by cruise line.

Some cruises have elegant or formal evenings. Others are much more casual. Certain restaurants may have dress requirements even when the rest of the ship does not.

I'll make sure you know what your particular cruise line recommends before you start packing.

And no, you don't need six pairs of shoes.

Although I know some of you are going to bring them anyway.

The Cruise App Will Become Your Best Friend

Most major cruise lines now have an app that can help you manage things like dining, activities, reservations, schedules, deck plans, onboard accounts, and other cruise information.

Download it before you leave home and sign in.

That's one less password you'll be trying to remember while standing in the cruise terminal.

One Last Thing: You Don't Have to Know How to Cruise

That's part of my job.

You don't need to understand every cabin category, dining option, beverage package, excursion, gratuity, check-in procedure, or cruise-line rule before deciding you'd like to try cruising.

You tell me what kind of vacation you're imagining.

I'll help you figure out which cruise makes sense and explain what you need to know along the way.

By the time you board, I want you excited about your vacation—not wondering whether you forgot something important.