Cruise Tips for Beginners: 10 Tips for First Time Cruisers
Cruising is a convenient way to travel, but it’s a bit different from other types of vacations you may have taken before. It can be a little overwhelming for a first timer, but once you get the hang of it you will be excited to cruise again and again. Here are some of my top tips for new cruisers:
1. Choosing Your Cruise
Picking a cruise that fits your desired vacation is your first task. Every cruise line offers a unique experience. Some are geared more for families, others are more luxury and adult, and others are more budget-friendly without all the frills. It’s important to pick a cruise line, as well as an itinerary, that fits your style and budget.
I always recommend shorter 3–5-night cruises for first time cruisers. This is to get your feet wet (no pun intended). For as long as I have been planning cruises, I find that people either love it or they hate it, there is no in between. So, a shorter cruise the first time helps you decide if it’s the right type of vacation for you.
2. Finding the Best Deal (Book Early)
Once you’ve narrowed down your cruise choices, you can start searching for the best deals. Booking through a travel agent can help you do just that. We can answer your questions and walk you through the entire process. The first thing I tell clients when looking for the best deals is BOOK EARLY (a year or more out). This guarantees the lowest prices and best cabin choices as well as price drops.
3. Check-In Process
Online check-in is a simple but very important task. You’ll go online to the cruise line’s website (or app), and enter your personal information, like passport identification, choose your boarding time and upload whatever form of payment you will be using for onboard purchases that will be linked to your stateroom.
Different cruise lines open their check-in at different times before sailing ranging from 45 days to 14 days prior. I always advise setting a reminder for your check in day so you can login and get your boarding time as early as possible when check in opens. After check-in, your boarding pass and luggage tags will become available. You will need to present this boarding pass (digital or printed) along with your photo ID/passport/travel documents at the terminal to board and get through security.
4. Research Ports/Book Excursions in Advance
Cruises are a little different in this way compared to your typical beach vacation. You have limited time at each port stop so you want to have a plan for what to do in these ports, or you’ll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience. You can book excursions directly through the cruise line or independently (your travel agent can help). Booking directly with the cruise line is convenient because the ship won’t leave without you if there are any delays. If you book excursions on your own you have to be sure to manage your time so that you don’t miss the ship (they won’t wait for you).
5. Pack Smart (With Dress Codes and Space in Mind)
Packing for a cruise can be challenging since you will need different outfits for different activities, including formal nights and themed events. Make sure to pack with temperatures and planned excursions and dress codes in mind based on your destination (Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, etc). You will obviously be packing a lot lighter for a trip to the Caribbean vs Alaska. Make sure to pack your own toiletries, as they are limited. This includes everything from shampoo to cold medicine, as these things can get pricey onboard. And worst-case scenario if you do need to do a load of laundry there are generally laundry services available onboard for a fee.
6. Pack Important Items in Carry-On
When you arrive at the port you have the ability to drop your luggage with porters that will deliver your baggage to your stateroom later in the day. So always bring a carry-on bag with important items and things you may need in the first several hours after you board. This includes medication, change of clothes or swimsuit, phone charger, sunscreen, etc. I actually always pack my first night dinner attire in my carry on because there have been times my bags didn’t arrive in time before our main dining time. DO NOT accidently pack your passport or boarding documents in your checked luggage or you will not be able to board the ship.
7. Arrive Early
This goes as one of the most important pieces of advice in this list. If you are flying to your cruise port destination, this is even more important. Plan for flight delays or traffic pileups that could disrupt your plans. The ship WILL NOT wait for you. I always advise a minimum of a day early, for international cruises 2-3 days early.
8. Keep Your Phone in Airplane Mode
Want to avoid racking up thousands of dollars in cell phone charges while onboard? Keep your phone in airplane mode. Even international plans don’t always include talking, texting and data use on cruise ships. You can purchase Wi-Fi that will let you text, call and stream videos without using your data. You keep your phone in airplane mode and connect to the ships Wi-Fi with these plans. If you are traveling with kids/teens this is super important to communicate to them…. ask me how I know.
9. Manage Spending
It’s easy to spend more than you planned on a cruise since you use your sea pass (room key) for cashless purchases everywhere on the ship. The cruise lines app has an account section that will list your itemized spending. This is important to check daily in case you have unrecognized charges on your account, that way you can visit Guest Services to get it fixed prior to the end of
your trip. To limit the amount you spend onboard, consider purchasing drink packages, Wi-Fi and other items pre-cruise when they are offered at a discount.
If you don’t pre-pay your gratuities, these will be charged as a daily fee to your room (per person). I always make sure to carry some cash for tips and shopping on port days.
10. Health and Safety
Staying healthy onboard is an important part of enjoying everything your cruise vacation has to offer.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, or even if you don’t know if you might be, bring over-the-counter medicine like Dramamine or Bonine, or sometimes even the pressure point bracelets can help.
Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often. I even wipe down the surfaces in my stateroom, like door handles and light switches, phones and remotes. There are medical treatment facilities onboard in case you need to seek medical attention.
Travel insurance can be something to consider in the event of an unexpected illness or injury. Cruise lines offer insurance, as well as other carriers, that can help if you happen to need treatment while on your cruise. Even something as simple as the flu could set you back a couple thousand dollars if you need IV fluids or extended treatment, so make sure to consider the potential costs if you do not have travel insurance.
